Cleaning the engine?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Finland
Cleaning the engine?
I'm thinking of using professional services to get my engine compartment cleaned up. However, is there anything special I could tell these guys about L98 engines pefore they start cleaning it?? They told me on the phone that they have cleaned other corvette engines too but they don't take responsibility is there's some electrical problems afterwards.... I know I can't do this by my self. I don't have the space or the equipment so this is my only change to get clean engine. What do you guys think??
:confused:
:confused:
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,548
Likes: 3
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member, Inland Empire Chapter
Re: Cleaning the engine? (jutammel)
I also have an L98 and I just take it to a self serve car wash, pop the hood and hose it off. LT1s and above? That I dont know. I had heard all the usual horror stories about it but finally tried it and so far have had no problems.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, WV
Re: Cleaning the engine? (DarkHalo)
Clean it YOURSELF!!!!!! ........ you'll get more satisfaction out of that ...... L98s are very forgiving. I use Simple Green (cold engine) and spray EVERYWHERE! then hose him off............ Oh BTW ........ you may want to be where the neighbors won't complain about the mess you will leave ...... some neighborhoods are PICKY picky picky.......... try to stay away from the sensors like TPS and MAF ........ I even has a false overheat last time I did mine that cleared up after he got cooked real good........ :seeya
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 191
From: Orange County California
Re: Cleaning the engine? (vettmech)
I have a 91 with the L98 and i was tenative to clean mine as well but i said what the hell and gave it a shot. I covered the distrubrot area and the computer and soaked it with sinple green then blasted away with water to my hearts content. I came out great. Now here is the downside. I did as i read and started it up to evaporate all the water by having the engine get hot and it caused bubbling on the paint of the valve covers. Not too big a deal to me buti still wasnt happy. Next time i'll let it dry on its own a little more first before starting it. You won't hurt it by washing it though just cover those two things and blast away.
Bob
Bob
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 44
Likes: 1
From: Orofino, Idaho
Re: Cleaning the engine? (robertpel9)
Get you some Engine degreaser and some Simple Green . Go to the car wash and spray the heck out of it . Leave your car running if your are paranoid about it dieing and not restarting. Don't get it too wet on the Air Filter Box ( cover with Towel) and don't get it too wet in front of the lower throttle body.I clean my 35TH myself with a pressure washer and my engine compartment has won me several first place at shows. It has 90,000 miles on it . Take your time it will take you less than .5 hr. Pure Simple Green work awesome and for underneath the oil/tranny pan the degreaser will rid it of the crud. Just let it all sit for 2-3 minutes before washing .
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 3
From: Bel Air Md
Re: Cleaning the engine? (caspurr)
Depends on how dirty the engine and compartment is. I just used wet rags with simple green and just wiped off the entire area. Once clean, just wipe it off at least weekly. :D
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,054
Likes: 0
From: Perry Hall MD
Re: Cleaning the engine? (jutammel)
I used an engine detailing kit from Corvette Central. Covered alternator and distributor. Sprayed cleaner everywhere, let it sit as per directions and then rinsed with medium spray. Then used the detailing spray as per directions. The only thing was, I had to wipe some of the areas that are smooth. Has looked great for several weeks. :cool: :seeya
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Finland
Re: Cleaning the engine? (dakotaqc)
Thanks all for support! I think I will do this myself. I just drive the car to gas stations self-service hall and hose it off myself. Keep the water out of distributor, sensors and air filter and I should be just fine? :D
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,548
Likes: 3
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member, Inland Empire Chapter
Re: Cleaning the engine? (HG)
Hey dude...are those the stock exhaust tips on yer ride? I saw another mid 80's C4 today with the exact same tips and it looked damned sharp. I didnt know they used them on the pre LT1 C4's. I though the rectangle tips was LT1 and up. :blueangel:
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 0
From: Hampton Georgia
Re: Cleaning the engine? (DarkHalo)
I use castrol purple clean,then hose it off .After that let it dry and spray eagle one etching mag cleaner on all of the aluminum parts ecspecially the intake,it brightens it up.Then let it dry good,maybe take it for a quick drive ,and spray some CSD engine detailer on the rubber and plastic ,let it dry for min or so and wipe off excess. :yesnod:
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Winthrop Western Australia
Re: Cleaning the engine? (jutammel)
Hi
Great results can be had by using and initial spray of engine degreaser and letting it soak in for a bit. Then use a paint brush to apply more degreaser. The brush really works wonders getting into gaps, cracks, between sparts etc. Then hose off.
Use tire shine on all hoses and armour-all everywhere else.
When I say everywhere I mean in areas that are exposed and standout when some looks at the enginebay. ALL other areas cover liberally with WD40 or similar silicone spray. Works great preventing rust.
The WD40 or similar spray does tend to collect dust and dirt over time, but it sure is easier to wash away dust and dirt than to remove rust.
Have fun.
Andrew
[Modified by Andrew Seale, 5:43 PM 10/10/2002]
Great results can be had by using and initial spray of engine degreaser and letting it soak in for a bit. Then use a paint brush to apply more degreaser. The brush really works wonders getting into gaps, cracks, between sparts etc. Then hose off.
Use tire shine on all hoses and armour-all everywhere else.
When I say everywhere I mean in areas that are exposed and standout when some looks at the enginebay. ALL other areas cover liberally with WD40 or similar silicone spray. Works great preventing rust.
The WD40 or similar spray does tend to collect dust and dirt over time, but it sure is easier to wash away dust and dirt than to remove rust.
Have fun.
Andrew
[Modified by Andrew Seale, 5:43 PM 10/10/2002]